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EDMONTON - Oprah style has won her legions of fans around the world, not because it is cutting-edge or aspirational, but rather, because it is realistic and inspirational, say local experts.

“Is she a style leader? Has she dressed differently and made fashion evolve? No. Is she representative of what the fashion industry wants people to think of as beauty? No. But her strength is that she covers the 60 per cent of people who are outside the ideal that is shoved down our throats,” says Anne Bissonnette, assistant professor in the University of Alberta’s department of human ecology and curator of its clothing and textiles collection.

“She’s not the ideal of the fashion industry, so what she’s representing is more realistic and representative of the culture that she’s emerging from.”

Like many North American women, the former talk-show host, actor and philanthropist — who will speak at Rexall Place next week — has struggled with her weight and self-image over the years, yet always appears poised and put-together.

“Even if she changes size, she still manages to look beautiful,” says Bissonnette. “Granted, she has a lot of help and stylists and makeup artists and what have you, but the fact of the matter is she has looked really good through many periods of her life.”

But it is her everywoman quality that makes her so appealing, and yes, endearing, to fans, says corporate image consultant Joanne Blake of Style for Success. “She’s so inspirational because she’s real. She’s a woman of colour, she’s slightly overweight, curvy — I think she’s given us an attainable version of beauty.”

Oprah’s iconic TV talk show, which aired from 1986 until 2011, featured makeovers of real women, adds Blake. “They’d give you the designer option, but they’d also give you the Dress Barn option, where you can get the look at an affordable price.”

Oprah’s own style is always contemporary and age-appropriate, says Blake. She wears clothes that flatter her figure, often in jersey fabrics that drape well, and sticks to V-, scoop- or cowl necklines that work with her shorter neck and bigger bust, she adds.

Blake is a big fan who has already bought tickets for herself and three friends to the Edmonton show and collects Oprah’s O magazine. “In my business, I use her as an example, especially as an inspirational kind of full-figured woman.”

Bissonnette likes Oprah’s willingness to be bold in her wardrobe choices. “She likes colours, things that are body conscious, regardless of whether she has the ideal body at that time or not, so she’s not conservative.” In that sense, she is also a role model for what fashion should be — something that makes women feel good about themselves, she adds.

Sandra Sing Fernandes, executive producer of Western Canada Fashion Week, says Oprah’s attitude has been very influential in fashion. “It’s her philosophy, that you don’t have to be model-thin, you don’t have to be 14 to look good in clothes. Being proud and happy with who you are is what’s important.”

Her image is always professional and polished, she adds. “We always say classy over trashy, and I think she’s always had that philosophy, where women don’t sell themselves short or buy into that rock star fashion. You can use fashion as something that can help you progress in your life.”

She’s also a good example of making the most of your body type and dressing to flatter it, something many woman have trouble with, says Sing Fernandes. “I think she’s always made a lovely presentation for her weight and she’s always looked extremely professional. I don’t think you see many ‘don’ts’ on Oprah.”

Blake says Oprah’s openness about her struggles with her weight and her work-life balance makes her all the more likable to audiences. “She’s so authentic … She’s natural, on and off camera, it seems. We all would like to be that. We all want to feel that we’re enough, and Oprah gives us that.”

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